Single lesson
Take Up Your Cross
Matthew 16:24–28; Mark 8:34–38; Luke 9:23–27
Jesus tells people what it means to come after him. These verses teach that following Jesus includes denying self, taking up the cross, and treating life as more important than gaining the whole world.
Before you teach
This teaching appears in Matthew, Mark and Luke with closely related wording. Jesus speaks to his disciples, and in Mark he also calls the multitude. Each account connects following Jesus with self-denial, losing life for his sake, and the coming glory of the Son of Man. Mark and Luke also include a warning about being ashamed of Jesus and his words.
Students will be able to explain from these verses that Jesus calls his followers to deny self, follow him, and value life over worldly gain.
Welcome: What does following Jesus mean?
5 minAsk children what people mean when they say, ‘Follow me’. Then explain that in these verses Jesus is not speaking only about walking behind him. He says, ‘deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me’. Introduce the lesson aim: to listen carefully to Jesus’ own words about being his follower.
Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23
Read and explain: Deny self and follow
7 minRead Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:23 aloud. Point out that Jesus says ‘if anyone’ or ‘whoever wants’, so this call is broad. Explain self-denial simply as saying no to our own way in order to follow Jesus. ‘Take up his cross’ shows that following him is serious and costly.
Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23
Discuss: What is worth keeping?
7 minRead the next verses and compare Jesus’ questions. He says a person who wants to save life will lose it, and the one who loses life for his sake will save it. He also asks what profit there is in gaining the whole world and forfeiting life or one’s own self. Discuss what Jesus says is truly valuable.
Matthew 16:25, Matthew 16:26, Mark 8:35, Mark 8:36, Mark 8:37, Luke 9:24, Luke 9:25
Make and respond: Reminder card
7 minChildren choose one key verse or phrase from the passage, such as ‘follow me’ or ‘what does it profit’. They make a small reminder card and add one realistic example of obeying Jesus’ words, such as telling the truth, being kind, or speaking openly about Jesus’ words. Share examples briefly with the group.
Matthew 16:24, Matthew 16:26, Mark 8:38, Luke 9:26
Closing: Jesus’ words matter now and later
4 minFinish by reading the verses about the Son of Man coming in glory. Explain that Jesus says he will come in glory and give to everyone according to deeds. Mark and Luke warn about being ashamed of Jesus and his words. Matthew and Luke also say some standing there would see the Kingdom before they died.
Matthew 16:27, Matthew 16:28, Mark 8:38, Luke 9:26, Luke 9:27
Questions to explore
What three actions does Jesus name when he describes coming after him?
Look carefully at the repeated wording in the three accounts and list the actions in the order Jesus gives them.
Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23
Why does Jesus ask about gaining the whole world and forfeiting life?
Use Jesus’ words about profit, forfeiting life, and what can be given in exchange for life or one’s own self.
Matthew 16:26, Mark 8:36, Mark 8:37, Luke 9:25
How do these verses show that being ashamed of Jesus is serious?
Notice what Jesus says about the Son of Man coming in glory and what he says about those ashamed of him and his words.
Mark 8:38, Luke 9:26, Matthew 16:27
Make, think or respond
Follow Jesus Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- card or paper
- pencils or pens
- crayons or markers
- Bible
Try it together
- Read Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:23, then let each child choose one short phrase from the passage.
- Fold a small piece of card or paper and write the chosen phrase on the front.
- Inside, write or draw one realistic way to remember Jesus’ words this week, such as telling the truth or speaking honestly about Jesus’ words.
- Invite volunteers to show their card and explain why they chose that phrase.
The card helps children remember Jesus’ repeated call to deny self, take up the cross, follow him, and take his words seriously.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer two or three short phrase choices from the passage and let them draw a picture showing following Jesus.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to compare one difference in wording between Matthew, Mark and Luke, such as Mark mentioning ‘the Good News’.
An optional closing prayer
‘Lord Jesus, please help us listen to your words, put you first, and follow you in the choices we make. Amen.’
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Matthew 16
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.
26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will give to everyone according to his deeds.
28 Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
Mark 8
34 He called the multitude to himself with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it.
36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
37 For what will a man give in exchange for his life?
38 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Luke 9
23 He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake will save it.
25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?
26 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.
27 But I tell you the truth: There are some of those who stand here who will in no way taste of death until they see God’s Kingdom.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.